A novel AgNPs/MOF substrate-based SERS sensor for high-sensitive on-site detection of wheat gluten

Gluten,known as the major allergen in wheat,has gained increasing concerns in industrialized countries,resulting in an urgent need for accurate,high-sensitive,and on-site detection of wheat gluten in complex food systems.Herein,we proposed a silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)/metal-organic framework(MOF)substrate-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)sensor for the high-sensitive on-site detection of wheat gluten.The detection occurred on the newly in-situ synthesized AgNPs/MOF-modified SERS substrate,providing an enhancement factor(EF)of 1.89×10^(5).Benefitting from the signal amplification function of AgNPs/MOF and the superiority of SERS,this sensor represented high sensitivity performance and a wide detection range from 1×10^(-15)mol/L to 2×10^(-6)mol/L with a detection limit of 1.16×10^(-16)mol/L,which allowed monitoring the trace of wheat gluten in complex food system without matrix interference.This reliable sandwich SERS sensor may provide a promising platform for high-sensitive,accurate,and on-site detection of allergens in the field of food safety.

Two-Dimensional Materials for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)offer low costs and high power conversion efficiency.However,the lack of long-term stability,primarily stemming from the interfacial defects and the sus-ceptible metal electrodes,hinders their practical application.In the past few years,two-dimensional(2D)materials(e.g.,graphene and its derivatives,transitional metal dichalcogenides,MXenes,and black phosphorus)have been identified as a promising solution to solving these problems because of their dangling bond-free surfaces,layer-dependent electronic band structures,tunable functional groups,and inherent compactness.Here,recent progress of 2D material toward efficient and stable PSCs is summarized,including its role as both interface materials and electrodes.We discuss their beneficial effects on perovskite growth,energy level alignment,defect passivation,as well as blocking external stimulus.In particular,the unique properties of 2D materials to form van der Waals heterojunction at the bottom interface are emphasized.Finally,perspectives on the further development of PSCs using 2D materials are provided,such as designing high-quality van der Waals heterojunction,enhancing the uniformity and coverage of 2D nanosheets,and developing new 2D materials-based electrodes.

Food-derived bio-functional peptides for the management of hyperuricemia and associated mechanism

Hyperuricemia,a metabolic disorder related to uric acid metabolism dysregulation,has become a common metabolic disease worldwide,due to changes in lifestyle and dietary structure.In recent years,owing to their high activity and few adverse effects,food-derived active peptides used as functional foods against hyperuricemia have attracted increasing attention.This article aims to focus on the challenge associated with peptide-specific preparation methods development,functional components identification,action mechanism(s)clarification,and bioavailability improvement.The current review proposed recent advances in producing the food-derived peptides with high anti-hyperuricemia activity by protein source screening and matched enzymatic hydrolysis condition adjusting,increased the knowledge about strategies to search antihyperuricemia peptides with definite structure,and emphasized the necessity of combining computer-aided approaches and activity evaluations.In addition,novel action mechanism mediated by gut microbiota was discussed,providing different insights from classical mechanism.Moreover,considering that little attention was paid previously on the structure-activity relationships of anti-hyperuricemia peptides,we collected the sequences from published studies and make a preliminary summary about the structure-activity relationships,which in turn provided guides for enzymatic hydrolysis optimization and bioavailability improvement.Hopefully,this article could promote the development,application and commercialization of food-derived anti-hyperuricemia peptides in the future.

Comprehensive analysis of advanced glycation end-products in commonly consumed foods:presenting a database for dietary AGEs and associated exposure assessment

Advanced glycation end-products(AGEs)are a group of heterogeneous compounds formed in heatprocessed foods and are proven to be detrimental to human health.Currently,there is no comprehensive database for AGEs in foods that covers the entire range of food categories,which limits the accurate risk assessment of dietary AGEs in human diseases.In this study,we first established an isotope dilution UHPLCQq Q-MS/MS-based method for simultaneous quantification of 10 major AGEs in foods.The contents of these AGEs were detected in 334 foods covering all main groups consumed in Western and Chinese populations.Nε-Carboxymethyllysine,methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone isomers,and glyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 are predominant AGEs found in most foodstuffs.Total amounts of AGEs were high in processed nuts,bakery products,and certain types of cereals and meats(>150 mg/kg),while low in dairy products,vegetables,fruits,and beverages(<40 mg/kg).Assessment of estimated daily intake implied that the contribution of food groups to daily AGE intake varied a lot under different eating patterns,and selection of high-AGE foods leads to up to a 2.7-fold higher intake of AGEs through daily meals.The presented AGE database allows accurate assessment of dietary exposure to these glycotoxins to explore their physiological impacts on human health.

Immunological disturbance effect of exogenous histamine towards key immune cells

Histamine in food has attracted widespread attention due to the potential toxicity and associated health risk.However,its influences on immunological components,especially the function of key immune cells,are still poorly known.In this work,we explored the effects of exogenous histamine on the function of key immune cells such as intestinal epithelial cells,dendritic cells,and T cells.The results showed that histamine could affect the expression of allergy-related genes in CMT93 cells at a high dose of histamine.Moreover,it’s found that histamine could cause an imbalance in the levels of relevant immune factors secreted by dendritic cells and T cells,especially those related to allergy.At the same time,the proportion of MHC class IIpositive dendritic cells and the proportion of T helper 2(Th2)cells in CD4^(+)T cells increased after histamine stimulation.We concluded that the presence of a certain level of histamine in food may affect the expression of allergy-related cytokines,disrupt the balance of the immune homeostasis,and potentially lead to adverse immune reactions.This work demonstrated the importance of including the estimation of histamine’s immune safety in aquatic products rather than merely considering the potential risk of food poisoning.

Comparison of immune responses and intestinal flora in epicutaneously sensitized BALB/c or C57BL/6 mouse models of food allergy

Cutaneous exposure to food allergens through a disrupted skin barrier is recognized as an important cause of food allergy,and the cutaneous sensitized mouse model has been established to investigate relevant allergic disorders.However,the role of different genetic backgrounds of mice on immune responses to food allergens upon epicutaneous sensitization is largely unknown.In this study,two strains of mice,i.e.,the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice,were epicutaneously sensitized with ovalbumin on atopic dermatitis(AD)-like skin lesions,followed by intragastric challenge to induce IgE-mediated food allergy.Allergic outcomes were measured as clinical signs,specific antibodies and cytokines,and immune cell subpopulations,as well as changes in intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota.Results showed that both strains of mice exhibited typical food-allergic symptoms with a Th2-skewed response.The C57BL/6 mice,rather than the BALB/c mice,were fitter for establishing an epicutaneously sensitized model of food allergy since a stronger Th2-biased response and severer disruptions in the intestinal barrier and gut homeostasis were observed.This study provides knowledge for selecting an appropriate mouse model to study food-allergic responses associated with AD-like skin lesions and highlights the role of genetic variations in the immune mechanism underlying pathogenesis of food allergy.

Oral administration of Bacillus coagulans TQ-35 alleviates allergic responses in OVA-sensitive BALB/c mice

Bacillus coagulans has been extensively studied so far,but there has been a lack of research on its usage in allergy.In this study,we designed to assess the effect of different concentrations of B.coagulans on food allergy in a BALB/c mouse model of ovalbumin(OVA)-induced food allergy and its effect on gut microbes.The assessment of symptoms,specific immunoglobulin E(IgE),T-cell differentiation,and related gene expression levels in sensitized mice by assay indicated that high doses of oral B.coagulans could alleviate allergic symptoms.Treatment with B.coagulans,in the high-dose group,significantly reduced IgE and IgG1 levels and modulated the balance of T helper type 1 cell(Th1)and Th2 and the expression of relevant genes in the spleen.16S rRNA analysis showed that probiotics improved the structure of the microbiota,in particular by boosting the percentage of Clostridia,Bacteroides vulgatus and Enterococcus faecium,and by increasing the abundance of microbial species,thereby modulating the immune system.Therefore,this study can provide insights into the practical application of B.coagulans doses to alleviate OVA allergy.

Recent Advances in Aqueous Zn||MnO_(2)Batteries

Recently,rechargeable aqueous zinc-based batteries using manganese oxide as the cathode(e.g.,MnO_(2))have gained attention due to their inherent safety,environmental friendliness,and low cost.Despite their potential,achieving high energy density in Zn||MnO_(2)batteries remains challenging,highlighting the need to understand the electrochemical reaction mechanisms underlying these batteries more deeply and optimize battery components,including electrodes and electrolytes.This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advancements for understanding the electrochemistry reaction mechanisms and designing electrodes and electrolytes for Zn||MnO_(2)batteries in mildly and strongly acidic environments.Furthermore,we highlight the key challenges hindering the extensive application of Zn||MnO_(2)batteries,including high-voltage requirements and areal capacity,and propose innovative solutions to overcome these challenges.We suggest that MnO_(2)/Mn^(2+)conversion in neutral electrolytes is a crucial aspect that needs to be addressed to achieve high-performance Zn||MnO_(2)batteries.These approaches could lead to breakthroughs in the future development of Zn||MnO_(2)batteries,off ering a more sustainable,costeff ective,and high-performance alternative to traditional batteries.

The Study on the Relationship between Dynamic Balance Energy Distribution and Spectral Stability with Voltage Change in White Organic Light Emitting Diode

The stable spectrum can be obtained when the voltage changes, which is a necessary condition for the white organic light emitting diode (WOLED) device to be widely used in the field of solid-state lighting. However, with the increase of voltage, the movement of the recombination zone (RZ) is inevitable because the perfect bipolar host material is difficult to obtain, which will redistribute the energy in the light emitting layer (EML) and affect the stability of the spectrum. We fabricate a series of ternary hybrid WOLEDs with a simple structure by inserting ultra-thin PO-T2T into the blue exciplex (TCTA:TPBi) to form the green interface exciplex. Without considering the movement of RZ, device B2 realizes the dynamic balance energy distribution in EML and stable spectrum by controlling two processes of the Dexter energy transfer and exciton capture. By modifying the doping ratio of the host material, we also find that the broadened RZ is helpful to further improve the spectral stability of the device. When the voltage changes from 3 V to 7 V, the change range of color coordinates is only (0.026, 0.025).

The Influence of Energy Transfer on the Color Temperature Change in Color-Tunable Organic Light Emitting Diodes with Interface Exciplex

The color-tunable white organic light-emitting diode (CT-WOLED) with wide correlation color temperature (CCT) has many advantages in optimizing the artificial light source to adapt to the human physiological cycle. The research on the change trend of CCT and the law of extending the change range of CCT will help to further improve the performance of this kind of device. The present work fabricated a series of CT-WOLED devices with a simple structure, which are all composed of two ultra-thin phosphor layers (PO-01 and Flrpic) and a spacer interlayer. The yellow interface exciplex (TCTA/PO-T2T) formed between the spacer layer (PO-T2T) and transmission material (TCTA) in EML will decrease the CCT value at low voltage. The relationship between the energy transfer in EML and CCT change trend is investigated by adjusting the interface exciplexes and the thickness of the interlayer or the phosphor layer in devices A, B and C, respectively. The results demonstrate that a simple OLED device with an interlayer inserted between two ultra-thin phosphor layers can achieve a wider CCT span from 3359 K to 6451 K at voltage increases from 2.75 V to 8.25 V. .

Site-specific N-glycosylation characterization and allergenicity analysis of globulin-1 S allele from wheat

N-glycans in many proteins are of great concern because of their strong association with food allergies. Triticum aestivum(bread wheat), a major food crop, is known as one of the “Big Eight” allergenic groups. However, little research has been done about N-glycans in wheat glycoproteins. In this study, a soluble wheat glycoprotein was purified from wheat and further identified as globulin-1 S allele(GSA). The wheat GSA displayed significant IgE-binding activity. Moreover, one N-glycosylation site and 6 kinds of N-glycans were identified by mass spectrometry, including 3 high mannose types and 3 complex types. Furthermore, the IgE-binding activity of wheat GSA is proved to be reduced by the removal of N-glycan, thermal treatment(temperatures > 80 ℃), and strong acidic treatment(pH 3.0). These findings would provide a better understanding of the effects of N-glycosylation, thermal treatment, and acidic treatment on the molecular characteristics of GSA, and further provide new insights into the development of hypoallergenic wheat products.

An In-Situ Formed Tunneling Layer Enriches the Options of Anode for Efficient and Stable Regular Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)are taking steps to commercialization.However,the halogen-reactive anode with high cost becomes a stumbling block.Here,the halogen migration in PSCs is utilized to in situ generate a uniform tunneling layer between the hole transport materials and anodes,which enriches the options of anodes by breaking the Schottky barrier,enabling the regular PSCs with both high efficiency and stability.Specifically,the regular PSC that uses silver iodide as the tunneling layer and copper as the anode obtains a champion power conversion efficiency of 23.24%(certified 22.74%)with an aperture area of 1.04 cm^(2).The devices are stable,maintaining 98.6%of the initial effi-ciency after 500 h of operation at the maximum power point with continuous 1 sun illumination.PSCs with different tunneling layers and anodes are fabricated,which confirm the generality of the strategy.

Synergistic effects of alginate oligosaccharide and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on the amelioration of intestinal barrier function in mice

Emerging evidence shows that dietary oligosaccharides are important prebiotics that can improve intestinal flora,while dietary polyphenols can act directly on intestinal cells.However,information about their synergistic effects on gut health is still limited.In this study,alginate oligosaccharide(AOS)and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside(C3G)were selected as a common marine plant oligosaccharide and terrestrial plant polyphenol,respectively,to study their effects on intestinal health.The results show that,in comparison to their individual applications,the combination of AOS and C3G(mass ratio,3:1)displayed a stronger ability to up-regulate the expression of tight junction proteins,while enhanced intestinal epithelial barrier was also observed and levels of mucin-2 andβ-defensins were simultaneously increased in the intestinal mucus.Interestingly,the secretion of immunoglobulin A and immune-related cytokines were approximately doubled by the AOS+C3G mixture.In addition,the AOS+C3G mixture was found to be more conducive to the positive transformation of intestinal flora,which stimulated the growth of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia,Lachnospiraceae and Feacalibaculum while inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria Helicobacter and Turicibacter.The data generated herein thus suggests that dietary oligosaccharides and dietary polyphenols may be more beneficial to intestinal health when applied in combination than their individual effects alone.

Porphyra haitanensis polysaccharide(PH)attenuates cell hyperplasia via remodeling the cross-talk between Hippo/YAP and mTOR pathways

Porphyra polysaccharide is a special kind of nutrient showing multiple physiological functions including regulating cell proliferation,but the detailed mechanisms are not fully revealed,impairing its further development and applications.This work was to purify and characterize the Porphyra haitanensis polysaccharide(PH),investigate its physiological function,and demonstrate the underlying mechanisms.The purified PH was first characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.Then an intestinal epithelial cell model was established,in which PH significantly suppressed cell hyperplasia.Specifically,PH activated the Hippo/YAP pathway,which subsequently activated m TOR pathway,however m TOR activated Hippo in the absence of PH.Moreover,both the inhibition of Hippo by YAP1 knock-down and the suppression of m TOR by rapamycin impaired PH function.These results indicated that PH attenuated hyperplasia activity by remodeling the cross-talk between Hippo/YAP and m TOR pathways,which revealed potential targets and approaches for treating hyperplasia-related diseases and provided novel ways to utilize P.haitanensis as well as other related functional foods.

An antifouling polydopamine-based fluorescent aptasensor for determination of arginine kinase

Simple yet efficient detection methods for food allergens are in urgent need to help people avoid the risks imposed by allergenic food.In this work,a polydopamine(PDA)-based fluorescent aptasensor was developed to detect arginine kinase(AK),one of the major allergens in shellfish.The aptamer towards AK was firstly selected via systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment method and labeled with fluorescein amidite(FAM)to build a fluorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET)system with PDA particles.Polyethylene glycol(PEG)was employed to construct an antifouling surface for the aptasensor to eliminate food matrix interferences.With the presence of AK,the PDA-based aptasensor exhibited elevated fluorescent signals as the FAM-labeled aptamer bound to AK and detached from the PDA particles.The aptasensor showed great stability and resistance to nonspecific interference of background proteins and had a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.298μg/mL.The proposed aptasensor was further proved to be feasible for quantitative analysis of AK in nine species of shrimps and five commercial processed products,which indicated its high potential in tracing the presence of AK in complex aquatic products.

Purification and immunoglobulin E epitopes identification of low molecular weight glutenin:an allergen in Chinese wheat

As one of the most important cereals,wheat(Triticum aestivum)has high nutritional value and is widely cultivated in China.However,wheat can cause severe allergic reactions,and a growing number of people are developing allergies to Chinese wheat.Low molecular weight glutenin(LMW-GS),an important allergen in susceptible populations,is responsible for celiac disease and wheat contacts dermatitis.In this study,LMW-GS was highly purified from Chinese wheat(Xiaoyan 6)and further identified and characterized.In addition,8 peptides were predicted efficiently by 5 immunological tools,among which 5 peptides showed significant immunoglobulin E binding abilities.Two specific epitopes were found to be in the non-conserved region of the amino acid sequence of LMW-GS,which was speculated to be the specific epitope of Chinese wheat.This systematic research of LMW-GS may provide new insights into the prevention of wheat allergy and development of hypoallergenic wheat products.

Innovative packaging materials and methods for flavor regulation of prepared aquatic products:Mechanism,classification and future prospective

Prepared aquatic products refer to ready-to-eat,heated,ready-to-cook,and paired food derived from marine products,which are growing as attractive convenience food.Flavor is a vital factor for consumers in choosing prepared aquatic products.Suitable packaging materials and methods are the crucial pathways used to maintain the flavor and control the off-flavor of prepared aquatic products.Compared to vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging,innovative packaging,including biodegradable,edible,active,and intelligent packaging,has received attention due to the potential advantages of flavor regulation.The mechanism of flavor change in package-associated prepared aquatic products is surveyed in this paper according to the reaction of lipids,proteins,microorganisms,and enzymes.Further,the effects of innovative packaging materials and methods on the flavor regulation of prepared aquatic products are summarized under the investigation of typical packaging.Moreover,prospects for innovative packaging materials and methods for flavor regulation in prepared aquatic products are proposed.This review provides references and bases for developing innovative packaging that maintain the flavor and wipes off-flavor.

The Main Progress of Perovskite Solar Cells in 2020-2021

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)emerging as a promising photovoltaic technology with high efficiency and low manufacturing cost have attracted the attention from all over the world.Both the efficiency and stability of PSCs have increased steadily in recent years,and the research on reducing lead leakage and developing eco-friendly lead-free perovskites pushes forward the commercialization of PSCs step by step.This review summarizes the main progress of PSCs in 2020 and 2021 from the aspects of efficiency,stability,perovskite-based tandem devices,and lead-free PSCs.Moreover,a brief discussion on the development of PSC modules and its challenges toward practical application is provided.

Application of in vitro and in vivo models in the study of food allergy

Food allergy is one of the most important food safety problems that has attracted increasing attention.The food allergy experimental models provide not only the accurate allergen detection and evaluation methods but also the powerful approaches for mechanism investigations.In this paper,we reviewed the common food allergy cell models including mast cell,basophil granulocyte and basophil,as well as the animal models of BALB/c mouse,C3H/HeJ mouse,and BN rat.We also introduced zebrafish,a promising model organism for investigating immunity though lacking direct applications in food allergy to date,and focused on traumatic inflammation,bacterial infection and viral infection models.In addition,we also summarized the clinical diagnostic research methods for food allergy.The elucidation of these topics will help researchers to understand the characteristics and mechanisms of various models and thus select the proper models for particular study,so as to support further investigations of food allergy.

治疗效果显著的1例AFP增高的原发性肺鳞癌病例报道

背景与目的产生甲胎蛋白(alpha-fetoprotein,AFP)的原发性肺鳞癌很少见,迄今为止只有4例相关报道。AFP增高的具体原因和治疗产生AFP原发性肺鳞癌的有效方案目前还不清楚。现报告1例产生AFP的肺鳞癌诊断和治疗经过,为后续临床工作提供参考价值。方法回顾性分析山东省肿瘤医院2020年10月23日收治的1例AFP增高的原发性肺鳞癌患者的诊断、治疗过程并进行文献复习。结果患者男性,52岁,初始诊断:右肺上叶鳞癌T4N3M0、Ⅲc期纵隔淋巴结转移肺内多发转移。肿瘤标记物以血清异常增高的AFP为主。两线化疗快速进展后,三线予以安罗替尼+卡瑞丽珠单抗方案治疗,2个周期和4个周期后疗效评估分别为部分反应(partial response,PR)和病情稳定(stable disease,SD)。第5个周期治疗后因消化道出血更换为白蛋白紫杉醇+卡瑞丽珠单抗方案治疗,病情得到持续控制。结论案例报道中产生AFP的原发性肺鳞癌患者对安罗替尼联合免疫治疗反应良好,可为今后临床工作和研究AFP增高的原发性肺鳞癌带来指导意义。